My Mother the Car
A man's deceased mother inhabits an antique car.
My Mother the Car is a fantasy sitcom from the United States that ran for a single season on NBC, from September 14, 1965, to April 5, 1966. United Artists Television produced thirty episodes. The plot follows a man whose late mother’s spirit lives inside an old car and speaks to him through its radio. The show belongs to a 1960s trend of TV comedies built around extraordinary characters in everyday settings—examples include a talking horse (Mister Ed), a Martian (My Favorite Martian), a robot (My Living Doll), a witch (Bewitched), a genie (I Dream of Jeannie), and a flying nun (The Flying Nun).
The production team had strong comedy backgrounds. Rod Amateau worked on *The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show* and *The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis*. Allan Burns wrote for Jay Ward and later created acclaimed series like *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*, *Rhoda*, and *Lou Grant*. James L. Brooks contributed to *Room 222* and *Taxi*, and later served as executive producer on *The Simpsons*. Chris Hayward produced and wrote for *Barney Miller* during its early seasons.
Critics and adult audiences disliked the show. In 2002, *TV Guide* ranked it the second-worst television program ever, behind *The Jerry Springer Show*. When TV Land launched in April 1996, its first day of programming included the series premiere as part of a collection of television firsts and rarities, describing it as “the strange but true… infamous series.”
**Synopsis** The story follows attorney David Crabtree (Jerry Van Dyke). While shopping for a station wagon at a used-car lot, he buys a beat-up 1928 Porter touring car instead. The car calls his name in a woman’s voice. It turns out to be the reincarnation of his deceased mother, Gladys (voiced by Ann Sothern). She speaks only to Crabtree through the car’s radio, with the dial light flashing in time with her voice. To make his family accept the old vehicle, Crabtree has it fully restored at a custom body shop. A fanatical collector named Captain Manzini (Avery Schreiber) covets the car, but Crabtree buys and restores it before Manzini can get it.
For the rest of the series, Manzini pursues Crabtree, determined to get the valuable car by any means. A running gag shows Manzini—who looks like a 1920s silent-film villain—always mangling Crabtree’s name. (“Now, then, Crabapple…” “That’s Crabtree.” “Whatever.”) Other cast members include Maggie P
- creator
- Allan Burns
Lore & Background
The show follows attorney David Crabtree (Jerry Van Dyke) who, while shopping for a station wagon, buys a dilapidated 1923 Porter touring car. The car turns out to be the reincarnation of his deceased mother, Gladys (voiced by Ann Sothern), who talks only to Crabtree through the car's radio. A fanatical collector, Captain Manzini (Avery Schreiber), constantly tries to acquire the car. The show had an experienced production team including Rod Amateau, Allan Burns, James L. Brooks, and Chris Hayward.
Reader's Guide
My Mother the Car is remembered primarily for its reputation as one of the worst television shows ever produced. In 2002, TV Guide ranked it the second-worst television show of all time, behind The Jerry Springer Show. Critics and adult viewers panned the show, though some later reviews noted that Jerry Van Dyke and Maggie Pierce gave decent performances. The show was part of a trend in 1960s TV comedies featuring extraordinary characters in ordinary situations, such as a talking horse, a Martian, or a witch. Its legacy is largely as a cautionary example of failed concept and execution, though it has gained a cult following for its sheer oddity.
Did You Know?
- The show was created by Allan Burns, who later had success with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Get Smart.
- TV Land's first day of programming in April 1996 included the series premiere as part of a collection of television firsts and rarities.
More in American fantasy comedy television series 1-24
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